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Africa is often seen as an emerging as a new 'frontier' for global trade and investment. Yet, intra-regional trade and the achievements of regional economic groupings are still presented as ‘disappointing’ for the continent.

This book argues these representations stem from a narrow focus on institutions and euro-centric models and ignores the processes of regionalisation that involves new players, such as corporations and diasporas. It calls for different analytical models that account for the disparity in institutional architectures, goals, paths and processes associated with regional organisations and region-building processes in Africa. In doing so, the book illuminates the political dynamics, inter-state political rivalries, conflicts, national interests and clashing interests that have influenced African state actors and shaped regionalism.

This text will be of key interest to students and scholars of African politics, African history, regionalism, comparative regionalism, and more broadly to international political economy, international relations and global and regional governance.

Africa, emerging as of as a new 'frontier' for global trade and investment, has been on the frontline of global and rising mobilisation towards the conclusion of regional trade agreements and their potential for block-building on a global scale. Yet, intra-regional trade and the achievements of regional economic groupings still remain highly disappointing for the continent.

This book argues these representations stem from a narrow focus on institutions (regionalism) and euro-centric models at the expense of an emphasis on processes of regionalisation that involves new players (corporations, diasporas). As such, it calls for different analytical models and emphasises the heterogeneity of institutional architectures, goals, paths and processes associated with regional organisations and region-building processes in Africa. In doing so, it illuminates the political dynamics, inter-state political rivalries, conflicts, national interests and clashing interests that have influenced African state actors in one direction or another, shaping the embryonic regionalism.

This text will be of key interest to students and scholars of African politics, African history, regionalism, comparative regionalism, and more broadly to international political economy, international relations and global and regional governance.

Number of Pages: 197

Genre: Political Science

Sub-Genre: Africa

Series Title: Routledge Studies in African Politics and Interntional Relations